Made in the USA Quotes

“The last time such a loss occurred was during the 1930s, and what makes it such a concern this time is that the dismal job creation statistic has been accompanied by huge and rising budget deficits, large and persistent trade deficits, enormous indebtedness, a low saving rate, a worsening state of indispensable modern infrastructure, poor achievements in education for the masses, worrisome public health (marked by a historically unprecedented incidence of obesity)—and a grossly dysfunctional government to run it all. When seen from this perspective, the state of US manufacturing is a clear cause for concern.”
― Vaclav Smil, Made in the USA: The Rise and Retreat of American Manufacturing

“China’s ruling party, as firmly in control of the government as ever, attracts foreign companies and enormous direct investment by guaranteeing the stability of a police state and by supplying a docile workforce that labors with minimum rights, commonly for extended hours under severe discipline, and is housed in substandard conditions.”
― Vaclav Smil, Made in the USA: The Rise and Retreat of American Manufacturing

“despite the decline in consumer spending brought on by the greatest economic downturn since World War II, the difference between jobs in manufacturing and in retail had reached nearly three million workers, a depressing reality of a failing economy where most new opportunities were low-paid, part-time positions to sell Chinese apparel and electronics bought on credit.”
― Vaclav Smil, Made in the USA: The Rise and Retreat of American Manufacturing

“Claims about the dematerialization of modern economies and about a postindustrial world in which manufacturing does not matter are costly misinterpretations of fundamental realities.”
― Vaclav Smil, Made in the USA: The Rise and Retreat of American Manufacturing

“material for the records. The rubber was soon replaced by shellac, and that material was used”
― Vaclav Smil, Made in the USA: The Rise and Retreat of American Manufacturing

“I wrote this book because I wanted to narrate the great, and a truly nation-building, story of US manufacturing—and because I believe that without the preservation and reinvigoration of manufacturing, the United States has little chance to extricate itself from its current economic problems, meet the challenges posed by other large and globally more competitive nations, and remain a dynamic and innovative society for generations to come.”
― Vaclav Smil, Made in the USA: The Rise and Retreat of American Manufacturing